Azalea frowned upon hearing the words of the king. Here she was, being worried over someone who didn't even need her worry. But he's right, whatever it was, it was indeed none of her business. Who was she to him anyway? They couldn't even consider themselves friends.

"Yes, this is really none of my business," Azalea answered the king as she looked straight in his eyes. "But … you're in pain right now and I can't just ignore that. If there's something, or anything I could do to help -"

​​

The king sat up and leaned on the tree, still breathing heavily and twitching in pain.

"Are you trying to curry favor from me?" he mocked her.

Azalea shook her head, "No! I -," she sighed again, "Ugh, at a time like this? Why would I even -"

" - Truly naive," the king interrupted her. "Hah … hah … arghhh".

Azalea noticed the king digging his fingers on the ground. So she took his hands, wiped the dirt away and held them gently.

A moment of silence passed by. The king clenched on Azalea's hands as he felt excruciating pain all over his body.

"W-why?" the king grunted. "There's nothing for you to gain even if you do that".

"Then that's good," Azalea smiled at him. "Since … I'm not looking for something to gain".

The king turned his head away from Azalea and looked towards the moon which was now being covered by the clouds. The pain in his body seemed to be subsiding just as the dark aura grew weaker. Little by little he managed to catch his breath.

"I could never understand you, kind people. Everyone in your palace, even your house leader, Genus. What good is there in being kind? People will just use and abuse you over and over. Kindness is both naivety and weakness ".

"Anything good in this world can't be a weakness," Azalea replied firmly. "In this world where it is so easy to hate, it takes strength and courage to be kind".

"For what? What good will it bring you? To feel good about yourself?"

Sadness covered Azalea's smile. Shaking her head, she answered, "Your highness … Why do you use your head over something that should be felt by the heart instead?"

"I don't understand what you're saying again," the king frowned.

"Then don't try to understand it. Instead, feel it".

Azalea got up and moved closer to the king. She patted his head and gently pulled him towards her to give him a warm embrace.

The king's eyes widened in surprise. It was considered an extremely rude behaviour to do this to the king according to the Magi customs but … for some reason … the king just let her be. He did not push her away nor try to intimidate her.

Perhaps it was because of the dark aura fading away …

Or maybe the mere warmth of Azalea's embrace that held no malice or motives …

Or perhaps it was his yearning all along ...

Yearning that he had been hiding beneath his cold exterior for the longest time …

Without realizing it, the king embraced Azalea back. He wrapped his arms around her tiny body tightly, and closed his eyes. With no words coming from each other's mouths, they continued holding each other. The king's trembling, and grunting subsided until the dark aura in his body completely disappeared.

"So … peaceful," the king thought in his mind. "When was the last time that I felt this way?".

"Your highness, the dark aura is gone! Are you feeling better now?" Azalea said cheerfully.

But the king didn't hear her. "More … I want more," was his only response.

At these words, the king grabbed Azalea's shoulders and they both teleported to his bedchamber. He pushed her towards the bed and began unbuttoning his shirt from the neck.

"W-what are you doing, your highness?" Azalea was dumbfounded. Her voice trembled as she crawled backwards, away from the king. "P-please return me … t-to my house".

The kings' lips curved into an evil grin. "Oh, isn't this what you want?"

"No!" Azalea shouted. "Please stop this! I …," her eyes began to shed tears.

But the king continued. He removed his upper clothing to reveal his muscular body. Like a lion to its prey, he drew closer and closer to her. Azalea tried to run towards the door but the king easily lifted her through his magic and returned her to bed. Now, he pinned her down by the wrists, and his eyes stared at her like a devil.

"Well, well, it seems all your bravery is gone," the king teased her. "Such sad tears".

Azalea bit her lips and tried to look brave even though her eyes continued to shed tears.

"Don't do this. This is wrong!" she yelled at him.

The king tilted his head and taunted her even further. "But I am king. I can do whatever I want. Besides, if I sleep with you now, there's no need for you to take those ridiculous tests. I can make you my queen whenever I want to".

"No! I don't care about your titles, I don't care about your crown! Let me go! This is not what I want!"

"But you don't really have a choice my dear. May I remind you that you are all here for my pleasure and entertainment. And to bear a child for me," the king's voice grew colder and distant. "Be grateful you get to fulfill your purpose".

Then the king lifted Azalea's chin and kissed her fiercely. With all her might Azalea tried pushing him away but her measly strength didn't even make him move an inch. He was too strong for her. Next thing she knew, the king was already removing her dress.

Azalea trembled and sobbed. Such heartless kisses, and aggressive touching.

"Sniff … sniff … p-please … stop," Azalea begged him.

But the king continued to kiss her. When Azalea gasped for breath, he inserted his tongue inside her mouth which surprised her and made her cry even more.

A whole hour passed while the king fervently kissed Azalea nonstop. Finally feeling a bit satisfied, the king let go of Azalea's lips.

"Hah … hah …," the king breathed heavily. With piercing eyes, he stared at her and with the lips that kissed her, he mocked her in return. "And this, my dear, is why you should never be kind towards anyone".